Southeast men's basketball team scrimmages in public debut

Tyler Stone, Nino Johnson and Lucas Nutt were the only three Southeast Missouri State men's basketball players who stayed together on the red team during Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage.

It's not surprising that the trio's squad dominated the white team in front of about 200 fans at the Show Me Center.

"We wanted to keep them together because they have to learn to play together," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "I thought their experience showed."

The red team won 82-57. The Redhawks played a 20-minute first half and a 15-minute second half.

Junior forward Stone, junior point guard Nutt and sophomore forward Johnson are, among others, expected to play major roles as the Redhawks try to continue their resurgence.

Nino Johnson dunks for the red team during the Southeast men’s basketball scrimmage Saturday at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"I feel like the sky's the limit for this team," Lucas Nutt said.

Stone led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed six rebounds. He was Southeast's top scorer and rebounder last year, averaging 14.7 points and 7.3 boards to earn second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference honors.

"It was fun. They kind of put the veterans against the younger guys," Stone said. "Luke [Nutt] does an awesome job finding us."

Johnson scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as he and Stone each threw down several dunks.

Johnson saw limited action last year as a true freshman but is being counted on as a big contributor this season.

A.J. Jones drives against Jared White during the Southeast men’s basketball scrimmage Saturday at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"I think we'll have the best one-two inside punch in the conference with Tyler and Nino," Lucas Nutt said.

Nutt scored all 11 of his points in the second half while dishing out numerous assists. He led the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio last year.

"Lucas really put it on that second half," Dickey Nutt said of his son.

Junior college transfer guard A.J. Jones, expected to be a major contributor, scored 21 points. He attended Southeast last year but could not practice with the squad.

"A.J. did some good things," Dickey Nutt said.

Corey Wilford goes up for a shot while Tyler Stone reaches from behind during the Southeast men’s basketball scrimmage Saturday at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

So did redshirt freshman forward Jacob Tolbert, a former Notre Dame High School standout who joined the program as a walk-on after Christmas last year and practiced with the team.

Tolbert scored 11 points and led all rebounders with 11.

"He's good. He'll really help us," Dickey Nutt said.

The 6-foot-7 Tolbert, like most of the Redhawks, looks bigger and stronger this year compared to last season. He said he gained about 15 pounds and is up to 215.

Tolbert said he's excited about helping the Redhawks this season and he figures to get that opportunity, especially since junior forward Michael Porter continues to be plagued by a hip problem.

Jacob Tolbert tries to shoot for the white team while guarded by the red team's Nino Johnson during a scrimmage by Southeast Missouri State Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"I'm just going to be glad to get out there and play. I'll play my hardest and do all the little things," Tolbert said. "Last year helped me out. It gave me a year to mature and to learn the system."

Porter has been limited during Southeast's early practices and played only a few minutes Saturday. Nutt fears he won't be at full strength the entire season.

Although Southeast hasn't publicized it, Porter has torn the labrum in his hip for the second time, which is unusual.

Porter said he's going to try to fight through the pain and give the Redhawks as many minutes as he can.

"This is our year. I want to be out there," he said.

Lucas Nutt drives against Jared White during the Southeast men’s basketball scrimmage Saturday at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Said Dickey Nutt: "Just his presence out there, his toughness, makes us a better basketball team."

Also scoring in double figures Saturday were freshman guard Jared White with 12 points, and senior guards Marland Smith and Nick Niemczyk with 10 each.

Senior guard Corey Wilford and forward Wayne Martin added eight points apiece.

Martin, a transfer from Central Florida, will have to sit out this season under NCAA transfer rules while he practices with the squad. He'll then have three years of eligibility remaining.

Freshman center Colin Ferguson contributed five points.

"Overall I thought it was good until we got tired a little bit," Dickey Nutt said. "We've only had six practices. ... We've got a long way to go, but we're getting better."

The Redhawks were excited about the fans who showed up to watch the action following Southeast's homecoming football game.

"We've been beating each other up in practice every day with nobody around," Lucas Nutt said. "It feels good to play in front of some people. We appreciate them coming out."

Added Dickey Nutt: "I thought the crowd was great. I didn't expect it. I really appreciate it, and I know all our players do."

Southeast hosts Ouachita Baptist Oct. 30 in the first of two exhibition games. The Redhawks tip off the season Nov. 9 at Kansas.